Homogeneous and heterogeneous cyclopentadienyl-arene titanium catalysts for selective ethylene trimerization to 1-hexene

Cyclopentadienyl-arene complexes [(η5-C5H4CMe2Ph)Ti(OiPr)3] (2) and [(η5-C5H4CMePh(CH2CH2CHCH2))Ti(OiPr)3] (3), where Me = methyl, Ph = phenyl, iPr = isopropyl, were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods (NMR, IR, ESI-MS) and elemental analysis (EA). 2 was anchored on two siliceous supports SiO2 and SBA-15 (pre-treated at 200, 700, and 800 °C) predominantly by a covalent Ti–O–Si bond. 3 was grafted onto SiMe2H-modified silica by hydrosilylation at 25 and 90 °C. 3 was attached by a flexible covalent tether –(CH2)4SiMe2– from the ligand to the silica surface. Models for immobilized surface species [(η5-C5H4CMe2Ph)Ti(POSS-O3)] (4) (where POSS-O3 = open silsesquioxane) and [(η5-C5H4{CMePh(CH2)4SiMe2OSi(OtBu)3})Ti(OiPr)3] (6) (where tBu = tertiary butyl) were also prepared and characterized. Comparison of homogenous catalysts 1–4 and 6/MAO (where 1 = [(η5-C5H4CMe2Ph)TiCl3]; MAO = methylaluminoxane) for ethylene trimerization showed that activity was influenced mainly by the σ-ligand. The alkyl (R) substituent of CMePhR had a negligible effect. Activity of the heterogeneous 2/support/MAO catalyst increased with increasing pre-treatment temperature (i.e. decreasing amounts of residual surface silanol groups). However, the leaching test showed, that a significant activity could be attributed to an active species leached from the support. We propose that an easy cleavage (methylation) of Ti–O–Si linkage by an excess of MAO would be the main origin of leaching. The inactivity of 3/support/MAO towards ethylene trimerization was attributed to close contact between the catalytically-active species and the surface.